Cardston residents to vote on whether to lift ban on alcohol sales

An non-binding plebiscite in Cardston next month could be the first step toward the end of a century-old ban on liquor sales in the predominantly Mormon town. But convoluted provincial legislation could still leave thirsty locals in the southern Alberta town high and dry for years to come.

calgaryherald

Updated: September 9, 2014

Rick Schow, a former two-term mayor of Cardston, says he will vote against next month’s plebiscite on whether the ban on the sale of alcohol should be lifted in the community. Schow would prefer to see alcohol sales restricted to restaurants and the local golf course in the predominately Mormon town, approximately 250 kilometres south of Calgary, that has been dry for almost a century. (Dave Rossiter for the Calgary Herald)

An non-binding plebiscite in Cardston next month could be the first step toward the end of a century-old ban on liquor sales in the predominantly Mormon town.

But convoluted provincial legislation could still leave thirsty locals in the southern Alberta town high and dry for years to come.

“The difficulty at this point is that the municipality has no right — and no ability — to restrict the application of the provincial law as it is written presently,” said Mayor Maggie Kronen.

The Oct. 6 plebiscite will see residents in the town, about 230 kilometres south of Calgary, weigh in on several issues, including: renting town sports facilities on Sundays, fluoride in drinking water and allowing backyard chickens.

But it’s the vote to repeal the 100-year-old ban on booze sales that’s likely to be the most contentious item on the ballot and legislatively problematic to change.

In 1924, Albertans voted to end prohibition after it was imposed following a vote in 1916. But a legislative clause in the current Liquor and Gaming Act prevents liquor licences (with the exception of special events) from being issued in the Municipal District of Cardston.

“To pursue changes to the section, a formal request from the town of Cardston would need to demonstrate support from the community,” said Jody Korchinski, spokeswoman for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.

“Once it’s received, we would have to consult with the broader community and, if the change is supported, then the amendments could be made the next time the Liquor and Gaming Act is reviewed,” Korchinski said.

Yet, less than a month before residents head to the ballot box, it’s unclear whether there is enough support to end prohibition in a town where many embrace the Mormon faith and its disapproving stance on alcohol.

“We have no intention of changing our values in the (Mormon) religion,” said Rick Schow, Cardston’s former mayor, owner of the local Dairy Queen and one of the town’s many Mormon followers.

“But I think a lot of us would like to be more progressive, see a little more growth, so the perception that we are pretty much a narrow-minded community would change,” Schow added.

While Schow said he supports the plebiscite, he would vote against it because he would prefer liquor sales be restricted to restaurants with the sale of a meal or at the area golf course.

Still, he believes the community would benefit economically and possibly attract younger, more progressive people to the town if it was able to loosen its restrictions on booze sales.

“We’ve struggled over the decades to have full, sit-down restaurants and, as most people in the business understand, licensed beverages are a major part of the profit picture,” said Schow.

“I often joke that the busiest private business in town is probably the funeral home . . . because we have a bit of a senior-heavy population,” he added.

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